Up to 80 drug detections at Townlands

BY KIERAN O'MAHONY

COCAINE, ecstasy, LSD, cannabis herb and MDMA were among the drugs seized by gardaí from festival goers at last weekend's Townlands Carnival in Macroom. 

There were between 70 and 80 drug detections, with four arrests for sale or supply of drugs at the festival, according to Macroom gardai.

Detections for drugs were up from last year's event, said Supt Michael Fitzpatrick of Macroom Garda Station.

‘There was  good enforcement in place with gardaí on site over the weekend. We utilised various resources, including the Division Drugs Unit from Bandon and the Dog Unit from Cork city. There were also a number of public order incidents, including assault, with a small number of arrests. But overall, it was a good weekend.'

The organisers of this year's weekend, which attracted a few thousand festival-goers, said they were happy with how the event was run.

Sam Beshoff, one of the organisers, said: ‘We got great feedback from the artists, vendors, security and those who attended this year's festival. Local businesses and residents have told us what a welcome addition Townlands Carnival is for the locality, and as a measure of our thanks for the goodwill we have been shown, we are going to donate €1,000 to Beal na Marbh, a local primary school. 

‘We have very dedicated event staff running Townlands, all of whom ensured it was a safe and enjoyable event for our patrons. 

‘Cork City Red Cross were on site for the weekend and have complimented us on a well-run and safe event. We would also like to thank the gardaí for their diligence over the weekend and for working so complimentarily with our security staff.'

Bantry-based Councillor Mary Hegarty, whose son Henry ran a food stall at this year's event, described the festival as the ‘Electric Picnic of West Cork' and said it was great for promoting local food produce. 

‘Townlands was an economic boost for Macroom with hotels and guesthouses all booked out for the weekend,' said Cllr Hegarty.